Okay, I gotta admit—I’m a little bummed. Just when we all started getting hyped about McDonald’s new drink-focused concept, CosMc’s, the company announced it’s closing all five locations. Yup, that futuristic drink spot with wild stuff like the Popping Pear Slush and Churro Cold Brew Frappé? It’s getting shut down, starting this June.
But before you start crying into your McFlurry, there’s actually some good news too. So hang tight, because this story is a bit of a rollercoaster.
What Was CosMc’s, Anyway?
If you blinked, you might’ve missed it. McDonald’s opened the first CosMc’s back in 2023 in Illinois, and it was chaos in the best way. People were waiting in line for hours, some even said they saw folks trying to bribe workers to get to the front of the line. It was wild—but also showed just how excited people were.
CosMc’s was kind of like McDonald’s answer to Starbucks and Dunkin’, but with way more colorful, out-there drinks. Think smoothies, lemonades, cold brews, and even drinks topped with popping candy. It was basically like a mini drink universe. If you love trying new drinks, CosMc’s was a dream come true.
So Why’s McDonald’s Closing It Down?
McDonald’s says CosMc’s was always meant to be a “launchpad for learning”. Basically, they used these stores to test fun new flavors and see what people liked. And yeah, even though the stores are closing, the testing totally worked.
Starting later this year, McDonald’s is planning to bring CosMc’s-inspired drinks to its regular menus across the U.S. So even if you never got to visit a CosMc’s, chances are you’ll still get a taste of the action—right at your nearest drive-thru.
What Kind of Drinks Might Show Up?
There’s no official list yet, but if we’re lucky, some of the fan-favorites might be making a comeback, like:
- Popping Pear Slush – A prickly pear-flavored icy drink with popping candy
- Iced French Toast Galaxy Latte – Yes, it tastes as magical as it sounds
- Churro Cold Brew Frappé – For all the cold coffee lovers who want a twist
McDonald’s even said during their earnings call that they’re planning a beverage test launch. That means we might see these new drinks rolling out slowly in select areas first.
Bittersweet But Exciting
Yeah, it sucks to see CosMc’s go. It was unique, fun, and full of new flavors. But if McDonald’s can take the best parts of CosMc’s and bring them to every store nationwide? That’s kind of a win in my book.
So keep your eyes on the menu, because your next iced latte might just come with a little extra galaxy magic.
Now excuse me while I go daydream about sipping that Churro Frappé with my McNuggets…
